NextGen Conversations

What does it mean to welcome people of all ages and abilities in your ministry? Rev. Katrina Drew, senior pastor at Mt. Zion UMC in St. Louis, chats with host Josh Schaller and Rev. Mona Candea about starting Embrace, a women's ministry for moms of kids with medical challenges or disabilities, and the impact is has had on both the community and the congregation. About NextGen Conversations NextGen...

When churches work together, everyone wins. In this episode, we chat with Janessa Aston from Platte Woods UMC and Rev. Cory Williams from Liberty UMC about the Northland Fall Retreat, a longstanding connectional event for Kansas City-area youth and churches. Janessa and Cory detail how multiple churches collaborate to pull off a meaningful weekend and share how your region can start a similar even...

What happens when a growing church decides to completely rethink its Sunday mornings? At New McKendree in Jackson, two campuses came together to create one united Sunday morning experience. Executive Director Amanda Bond and Family Ministries Director Paige Turner share how a children's ministry challenge sparked a full-scale reimagining of discipleship, worship and community. In this conversation...

In this episode of NextGen Conversations, join the Missouri Conference NextGen Ministries staff as they dive deep into our new program called Big Worship, Little Disciples. Hear the "why" behind the program, the desired outcomes and how your church can get involved in 2026. Resources Big Worship, Little Disciples Webpage About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to...

Hiring for NextGen ministry roles is no small task. And once you've found the right person, how do you set them up for success? In this episode, Rev. Diannah White, executive pastor at Good Shepherd UMC in Kansas City, shares about the challenges of hiring, the expectations placed on new staff and how churches can better support their employees. About Rev. Diannah White Diannah's role at Good Shep...

Christmas comes every year. How do we keep it both fresh and meaningful and welcoming for families? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson, associate pastor at Missouri UMC in Columbia, share ideas and tips for reimagining church Advent traditions with an intergenerational lens. About Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson Sarah Jo is a cradle United Methodist born and raised in...

On this episode of NextGen Conversations, we chat with Rev. Chandler Landis, associate pastor at First UMC in Sikeston, about the reality of youth ministry in a world packed with sports, activities and extracurriculars. Chandler shares creative, practical ways to build trust with families, partner with parents and make ministry happen beyond the church walls and between touchdowns. About NextGen C...

In the final installment of our special pitch episodes of NextGen Conversations, we welcome Emily Pikaard and Madison Westermier as they pitch ways to reveal a newly updated ministry space and raise a few additional funds. Emily dreams up a scavenger hunt-style launch event to help young families explore a newly renovated children's space, complete with unstructured play, classroom introductions a...

In the final installment of our special pitch episodes of NextGen Conversations, we welcome Rachel Griffith and Rebes Bennett as they pitch ways to reach out and build relationships across generations. Rachel pitches a student-led open mic night designed to give teens a safe space to express their talents, be heard and feel supported. Rebes shares an idea about regular intergenerational programmin...

In this special pitch episode of NextGen Conversations, we hand the mic to two new ministry leaders who are imagining creative ways to engage with students and families who both do and don't attend church. Ryan proposes gamifying Bible learning through theater, storytelling and D&D-inspired Sunday school adventures. Micayla shares a vision for turning her church into a "third space" for young fami...

In this special pitch episode of NextGen Conversations, we hand the mic to two seasoned ministry leaders with bold new ideas for connecting with students and families. Rev. Martin Leathers, students pastor and middle school director at The Gathering UMC, shares a plan for a traveling tailgate tour that brings free food, fun and authentic connection straight to high school football games. Rev. Shel...

Who really has time to wade through all the available curriculums out there or even write your own curriculum? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Janessa Aston and Mandy Phillips, youth and children's leaders from Platte Woods UMC, share practical tips for finding resources that engage kids, equip leaders and reflect United Methodist values — without overloading already-stretched ministry s...

Safe Sanctuaries policies can sometimes feel like one more hoop to jump through when planning programming for kids and youth. Yet, with some planning and creative thinking, how your church implements its policy can be a strength. Rev. Shea James, director of youth and outdoor ministries at the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, shares examples and tips for creating a culture...

Whether you call it Launch Sunday, Promotion Sunday or something else, this special day is more than just a date on the calendar. It's an opportunity to energize your church, engage families and set the tone for the season ahead. In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Morgan Scott, youth director at Cameron UMC, and Rachel Whitmire-Griffith, director of nextgen ministry at North Cross UMC, help...

In ministry, we talk about discipleship pathways, but what does that practically look like for our youngest disciples? In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Chris Wilterdink from UMC Discipleship Ministries discusses how churches can create intentional discipleship pathways that engage all ages, celebrate spiritual growth and build stronger faith communities. Plus, Chris shares about the faith...

Intergenerational ministry seems like it should happen naturally, but building strong connections between generations takes intentionality and work. In this episode of NextGen Conversations, Rev. Arden Ratcliff-Mann, associate pastor at Liberty UMC, shares how churches can break down ministry silos and make church a place for all generations. Whether your church is large or small, this conversatio...

Laity is essential to the Methodist movement, and volunteers are the lifeblood of a thriving ministry. But how do you find them and keep them? Annette Safstrom, author and Ministry Architects consultant, shares practical strategies for recruiting, equipping and retaining volunteers. Whether you're struggling to build a team or looking for ways to strengthen your volunteer culture, this episode is...

Easter is one of the biggest Sundays of the year, but how can local church leaders design meaningful experiences that go beyond the traditional egg hunt? In this episode, Allie Hillman from Waypoint UMC in Waynesville shares how they're reimagining the family Easter experience. You'll hear what Waypoint is planning for Easter 2025, and spoiler alert, it isn't an egg hunt. About Allie Hillman Allie...

Join us as we dive into the 2025 summer activity slate and showcase the exciting opportunities for children, youth and United Methodist churches in Missouri. Discover how day camps, overnight adventures, transformative mission trips, and the epic UNITE students conference are shaping faith, fostering relationships, and empowering the next generation. Related Resources Heartland Camps Host a Day Ca...

Explore what it means to create a Culture of Call, an environment where people can discern their God-given gifts and discover their purpose in ministry and beyond. Missouri Conference Recruitment Specialist Brian shares stories of impactful relationships and practical steps to foster meaningful connections in ministry, no matter what age group you work with. About Brian Valentine Brian serves as R...

What a holly, jolly year it has been! Join the NextGen Ministries staff as a plus-one to their Christmas gathering, where they celebrate the wins of 2024 and share some Christmas hot-takes. About NextGen Conversations NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children's, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Every episode features a co...

If we want to disciple the youngest people in the church, we also need to pay attention to the adults in their lives. Kyle Kranes-Rutz, who serves as family ministry director at Webster Hills UMC in St. Louis, shares practical wisdom on developing this holistic approach to discipleship by focusing on four guiding principles: Knowing scripture, loving and serving people, knowing God, and living lik...

While we give a lot of attention to cultivating the faith of our students, NextGen ministry leaders need to tend to their own faith and leadership skills, too. Rev. Kyrell Newell shares about his ministry journey and what has helped him grow as a leader. Whether you're new to ministry or a seasoned leader, there's something for everyone in this episode full of resource recommendations for personal...

The church can be the first place someone turns to when they're seeking mental health help. Yet, the Church isn't usually equipped to handle the challenges and nuances of this tricky topic. Caroline Oas, a licensed professional counselor with a background in youth ministry, offers practical advice for pastors, leaders and parents on how to support the next generation's mental health. Together tack...

Krista Gonzalez, a youth leader turned professional counselor, shares personal stories from her ministry experience and explores the realities of burnout for nextgen workers. Krista offers expert insight into what burnout looks like, how to recognize the warning signs, and practical tips for recovery and prevention. Whether it's dealing with compassion fatigue or learning to set boundaries, this e...